Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto highlighted the power of sport on Thursday as she expressed condolences on the anniversary of a deadly earthquake and tsunami, saying it provided hope for survivors and in facing the coronavirus.
On March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off northeast Japan, triggering a tsunami that devastated the region and caused a meltdown at a nuclear plant in Fukushima. About 20,000 people were killed.
Hashimoto said the power of sport had become a focus of Tokyo's bid for the Games after the disaster and that the concept could be extended to facing the novel coronavirus pandemic.
President of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Organizing Committee Seiko Hashimoto attends a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, March 5, 2021. /CFP
"While COVID-19 has led to the first-ever and unprecedented postponement of the Games, the role of sports within society has become ever more relevant," Hashimoto said in a statement.
"Even stronger determination" was needed to help boost the recovery of the areas hit by the earthquake and tsunami, she said.
"…we would like to do our best to bring together those whose lives have been affected by the global crisis through hosting a safe and secure Tokyo 2020 Games," she said, referring to the coronavirus.
Most Japanese oppose holding the Olympics this summer due to worries visitors from abroad will spark a resurgence in coronavirus infections, surveys have shown.
People pray facing the sea in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, at 2:46 p.m. on March 11, 2021, the time a massive earthquake struck northeastern Japan exactly 10 years ago, triggering a killer tsunami. /CFP
A decision on international fans is to be made this month but sources suggest that Japan has decided to stage the Games without overseas spectators.
Meanwhile, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee chief executive Sarah Hirshland said on Wednesday that they expect U.S. athletes participating in the Tokyo Olympics will be vaccinated against COVID-19 "well before" the Games.
The Olympics, postponed by a year because of the pandemic, are scheduled for July 23 to August 8 and the Paralympics from August 24 to September 5.
(With input from agencies)